Accountant Trainee - Controller's Office (1649) - City and County of San Francisco

The Controller is the City’s chief financial officer. Our team includes financial, technology, analytical and other professionals who work hard to secure the City’s financial integrity and promote efficient, effective and accountable government. We hold ourselves to high standards and strive to be a model for good government. We value the diverse backgrounds, perspectives and lived experiences of our teams and clients in everything we do. We work in a collaborative and inclusive environment, promote equal opportunity, and invest in the professional development and wellbeing of our team members. You can expect to work alongside colleagues who are committed to serving the public with integrity and want to see positive impacts from their work. We are looking for smart, motivated individuals who want to make a difference and use government to play a role in solving our City’s problems, including addressing long-standing and harmful disparities in our communities. For a career with purpose and professional growth, join us in the Controller’s Office.

Specific information regarding this recruitment process are listed below:

• Application Opening: April 16, 2024
• Application Deadline: May 19, 2024
• Compensation Range:  $83,434 to $87,568 Annually
• Recruitment ID: PEX-1649-146825
• Tentative Program Start Date: September 16, 2024

The 1649 Accountant Trainee Program also known as the 1649 Accountant Intern Program was established to ensure excellent performance in the City and County of San Francisco's Accountant Series. Participants in this Program are appointed at the entry-level of the Accountant. Overall responsibility and administration for the 1649 Accountant Trainee (Intern) Program for the City and County of San Francisco resides with the Office of the Controller, by delegation from the Department of Human Resources.

1649 program participants are appointed to civil service permanent-exempt job Class 1649 Accountant Trainee (Intern) and enter the 18-month training program as full-times employees. 1649 trainees participate in two 9-month rotations, typically with two different City departments.

1649 trainees (interns) receive a comprehensive foundation in governmental accounting policies, procedures, and best practices. The Program consists of a combination of workshop training and on the-job experience as a functioning accountant in the City, and are mentored by higher-level, experienced accountants in various City Departments.

Topic areas of training include — Peoplesoft Financials, General Ledger, the Budget Process, Purchasing, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Financial Analysis and Reporting, and Vouchers and Expenses.

In addition to the technical and functional knowledge, the 1649 Accountant Program provides professional development learning opportunities in communication skills, presentation skills, as well as presentations from the Treasurer/Tax Collector, the Civil Service Commission, the Office of Public Finance, and more.

The Program also pairs trainees with seasoned supervisors and mentors to provide them with support and coaching throughout their training. Progress through the Program is evaluated through regular performance evaluations.

After the 18-month 1649 Accountant Trainee (Intern) Program ends, successful trainees are promoted to the Permanent Civil Service 1652 Accountant II classification. Assignment locations may vary for each rotation of the Program, including 1652 placements.

PROGRAM ADVANTAGES

• Earn while you learn as a full-time City employee with comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and retirement.
• Cohort experience to develop a professional network throughout the City.
• Practical knowledge and experience in the relationship between governing bodies and strategic partners.
• Support and mentorship from accounting professionals and Program alumni.
• A comprehensive understanding of governmental financial management and how to support the operational needs of the governmental entity of San Francisco.
• A working knowledge of accounting topics and City processes to become fully functional well-rounded accountants with the City upon successful completion of the 1649 Program.
• To successfully complete the 18-month training program, 1649 Program participants will present
• self-chosen topics to the 1649 Steering Committee.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Participate in structured job training experiences.
• Attend classroom-style workshops and complete online training programs related to citywide accounting functions during the training program.
• Perform a variety of work in the following fields:
• Record and process a variety of accounting data into accounting systems;
• Analyze transactions to insure proper recordation;
• Prepare and maintain expenditures and budgetary control accounts;
• Prepare reports on status of such accounts;
• Maintain accounting records relative to payroll accounts, processes rate changes and payroll deductions;
• Distribute personnel service costs to appropriate accounts;
• Assist in the maintenance of accounting systems;
• Reconcile internal departmental records with Controller’s and other agency reports;
• Process and clear encumbrance documents and vendor payment documents, assists in external reporting projects/requirements as assigned.
• The incumbent must be able to communicate all phases of the Accounting Cycle to a variety of audiences clearly and effectively, and they will also perform related duties as assigned.
• Overtime may be required.
• Make formal presentations to City departments and the Steering Committee.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university WITH eighteen (18) semester units or twenty-four (24) quarter units of coursework in Accounting.

• Only classes that are 3 units or more will be counted towards coursework requirement. One to two-unit accounting electives will NOT be considered qualifying coursework, and neither will adjacent coursework (e.g. finance, economics, math, QuickBooks/Excel courses).

Desirable Qualifications

• Professional accounting work experience which includes analysis or problem-solving. Experience should include: Working with an automated financial system (preferably a government system), performing difficult and responsible accounting, reporting work, as well as preparing financial records and reports.
• Proficient Skills using various computer software programs including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
• Experience establishing, promoting and maintaining professional, cooperative-working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Experience speaking to a variety of audiences regarding financial information and related complex matters.

*****HOW TO APPLY*****

Please include the following items with your online application:  

1. All University transcripts with University Letterhead in PDF format. NOTE: Verification of qualifications will be collected prior to appointment for all finalists. Verification of education in the form of a college transcript must be submitted with the application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable but must contain the college letterhead. Please include all transcripts from the colleges you have attended (i.e. junior colleges and universities). Copies of diploma(s) will not be accepted in lieu of transcripts. Course descriptions may be requested. Applicants who possess a degree that is from a foreign college or university will be required to provide an equivalency certification of the degree. Equivalency certifications and all transcripts must be submitted upon completion of the Written Examination in order to move forward in the process. You will be able to upload transcripts to the online application OR email to nancy.giang@sfgov.org and include 1649 2023 in subject line of email - (DO NOT email more than one copy)
2. Updated Resume Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.
3. Cover Letter

Verification of Education and Experience:

All applicants, including City employees, must provide written verification of qualifying education needed to meet the minimum qualifications.  Copies of transcripts must be submitted to verify college education.  Incumbency in a class with the same education requirements may be reason to waive this requirement for current city employees. Verification of qualifying experience may be required.  If requested, verification must be signed by the employer or the employer’s authorized representative on the employer’s business letterhead, and must include the name of the applicant, job title(s), dates of employment, and description of job duties performed. If the qualifying experience was performed on a part-time or as-needed basis, the total number of hours worked, or average hours worked per week must also be included. City and County employees shall receive credit only for the duties of the class to which appointed or assigned unless sufficient and credible documentation is provided to verify performance of other duties.  Employees may receive credit for duties not usually performed by incumbents in a class if their employee file contains contemporaneous documentation that the duties were assigned and performed.  By way of example but not limitation, records that describe and verify the out-of-class assignment that may be accepted as documentation include a valid performance appraisal completed during the normal evaluation period, payroll records filed at the time of the assignment and Notice of Assignment.  Credit for duties not usually performed by incumbents in a class based on non-contemporaneous documentation shall require the certification of the Appointing Officer and the approval of the Human Resources Director.  Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco. 

Notes regarding Verification of Education and Experience:

1. A degree from a U.S. or foreign college or university not currently listed on accreditation websites may require that an evaluation of the degree must be received before placement on the eligible list.  The evaluation must state that the degree has equivalency as described in the minimum qualifications. For information on "How to obtain equivalency certification", please visit: http://sfdhr.org/index.aspx?page=456

SELECTION PLAN

The selection process consists of the following three (3) components:

Written Examination: Candidates will be tested to determine relative knowledge, skill and ability levels in job-related areas, including but not limited to: Knowledge of accounting principles (including government accounting) and practices; Ability to make accurate mathematical calculations; Ability to analyze data; Reading comprehension and grammar & spelling. Admittance to previous examination administrations is no guarantee of admittance to the current process. Candidates who are invited to in the written exam are not guaranteed advancement to the next phase of selection, as the written exam will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

Performance Exercise: Qualified candidates who receive a passing score in the written examination may be invited for Performance Exercise. Candidates will be tested on Ability to use personal computers (including Microsoft Excel and Word); Knowledge of accounting principles (including government accounting) and practices; Ability to analyze data; and Written communication skills. Candidates who are invited to participate in the performance exercise are not guaranteed advancement to the next phase of selection, as the performance exercise will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

Oral Interviews: After completing and passing the performance exercise, candidates will be interviewed and evaluated by the Steering Committee, who will determine final selection in the Program.

Tentative Testing Schedule:

• Written Exam: June 8, 2024
• Performance Exercise: Late June 2024
• Panel Interview: Late July 2024

***The target starting month for 1649 Program is September 16 2024***

I. Advancement to 1652 Accountant II: After successful completion of 1649 Accountant Trainee (Intern) Program, qualified candidates will apply to participate in the selection process for Class 1652 Accountant

II. Promotion to Class 1652 Accountant II is not automatic and may be affected by the availability of open requisitions or other factors.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst at nancy.giang@sfgov.org.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.